NEW YORK -- On Friday night, Kodai Senga tossed six innings of one-run ball in his first start with Triple-A Syracuse since accepting an option to the Minor Leagues on Sept. 5.
Senga needed just 74 pitches (52 strikes) to carve his way through Worcester’s lineup. The right-hander notched eight strikeouts and did not walk a batter, scattering three hits. Six of Senga’s strikeouts came with his patented “ghost fork,” and he effectively weaved through his seven-pitch mix.
The plan was for Senga to make two starts in Triple-A before potentially returning in time to make one or two starts with the Mets before the end of the regular season. But that plan is fluid, depending on Senga’s work in the Minors. On paper, Friday’s outing seems like an encouraging step.
On Thursday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Senga “feels good” and is in a “good spot” after making adjustments to his mechanics.
He is first eligible to return to the Majors on Sept. 20.
Senga, an All-Star as a rookie in 2023, became a liability over the past few weeks -- a key part in the demise of the Mets’ once-stalwart rotation. He pitched to a 6.56 ERA in eight outings after the All-Star break, not once completing six innings. His struggles coincided with his return from a five-week stay on the IL with a right hamstring strain; prior to the injury, Senga had a 1.47 ERA in 13 starts.
The Mets could sorely use that version of Senga, who has shown himself to be capable of pitching like an ace. New York entered play on Friday with a slim 1 1/2 game lead over both the Reds and Giants for the final NL Wild Card spot.
The well-documented struggles of the Mets' rotation have helped tighten that race: Entering play on Friday, their starting pitchers have combined for a 5.10 ERA since the break, the seventh-worst mark in the Majors.